cliff." >> you got it nail this down. uncertainly is killing us. >> reporter: top economists came to capitol hill thursday to talk about the impact of tax increases and government spending consults on the middle class. >> creating jobs -- >> reporter: president obama and house speaker john boehner spoke on the phone wednesday but publicly are holding firm on their positions. the white house has made clear the country could go over the cliff if republicans refuse to raise taxes on the top 2% of american earners. >> to do that to 98% of the american people, because of an insistence that the wealthiest americans get a tax cut would be profoundly wrong. >> reporter: republican leaders say they will close loopholes and eliminate tax breaks but bush-era tax cuts must be extended to all americans. >> reporter: the standoff and debt concerns ryan. so much so, that he is the guy if the suit dancing gangnam style with former senator alan simpson. the group the can kicks back is working to get young people involved in fixing the deb